The Ambulance-Hypo Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Innovative hypoglycaemia pathway for self-care at home and admission avoidance: a partnership approach with a regional ambulance trust (The Ambulance-Hypo Study)\n
IRAS ID
191920
Contact name
Kamlesh Khunti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN56314240
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Hypoglycaemia is a condition usually experienced by people with diabetes when the level of sugar in the blood falls to a very low level. It is often caused by medication but can also be caused by exercise, diet and having other conditions other than diabetes. Hypoglycaemia causes symptoms such as tiredness and dizziness but can also cause serious symptoms and can even be fatal if it is not treated.\n\nIt is estimated that annually there are 70,000 to 100,000 emergency callouts for hypoglycaemia in the UK. It is important to reduce the number of people requiring medical attention as a result of hypoglycaemia, as well as reducing the rate of recurrent of episodes.\n\nIn Leicester City ambulance staff can refer patients to a new care pathway aimed at preventing further episodes of hypoglycaemia. As part of this pathway, ambulance staff obtain the patient’s agreement to send their details to a\nDiabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) who will contact the patient by telephone to talk about why they had hypoglycaemia, and how they can avoid it in the future. If necessary, the nurse may arrange an outpatient appointment or request that the patient’s medication is changed.\n\nThere have been small audits of this care pathway to see whether it is effective. We now need to collect data from patients in a robust and structured way to see if the care pathway is effective and can be set up in new areas. \n\nThe study is taking place in Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire where the ambulance service and the diabetes care services will be involved. The new pathway will be introduced with ambulance staff either referring patients to the DSN pathway or sending the patient’s details to their GP. This will be determined randomly. The research team will follow-up referred patients 2-4 days later. Follow-up will involve sending patients an invitation letter, information leaflet and consent form. Patients who consent to take part will be sent a questionnaire booklet to complete and then followed up again twelve months later. This will involve contacting the patient’s GP to obtain relevant information about the patient.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0538
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion